I understand the OP has misgivings. If you try to think of the situation head on; you look around at a world without a means to collect water for use. Every natural source is polluted and the ability to carry water has been severely limited. your Brains Logic centers ask; "why are there no containers (glass bottles, or even tin cans anymore to store water in), yet I loot a toilet or some cabinets or boxes and I get a glass bottle of scummy water?" Well, the way things are now, you simply have to tell any logical portions of your brain to shut up and just go along for the ride. This is a distasteful option for many; and I admit, the recent changes have led to My formerly steady weekend Multiplayer group to dwindle from 5 - 8 players per session, down to ....two.....or none. So yes, others do feel that current changes are distasteful, and many of those that previously couldn't wait for Our Play sessions are now..... looking for other gaming options. I miss the big groups and getting together with those friends but, I understand their feelings.
But, it is very possible to still play 7D2D in its current condition. A cook pot is now the vital accessory to find; as this will allow you to boil murky water and then using chrysanthemums, to turn that water into red tea, which has almost twice the hydration rating over a pint of regular boiled water. (or golden tea, etc). The big accessory to get lucky in finding is the water purification mod. Once you have that set into a piece of headgear, you can drink any water, from bottles or ponds, ditches, pools, etc without worry. I do still get one water filter to build a dew collector to produce clean water because it is needed for cooking recipes or making items, and I want to be SURE to have some on hand when I need it. Despite what others might say; it can still be a tough road some days in getting enough water; especially if your 'daily tasks' revolve around any activity besides "looting POI's". For instance, I might spend a day mining, to get that needed material for making gunpowder, or needing more stone to make cement. On such a day I might not have a lot of time to "loot new buildings for water"
A small investment in a Healing perk or two can also allow a player to drink murky water from ponds, pools, or other non-bottled sources by looking at the water source and have a tool belt slot empty, and selected....then after a few seconds the option to DRINK will appear, and you can drink until your belly is full by using the 'E'. The Healing perks will quickly bypass any health conditions you might pick up.
So, if you adapt a bit, its very possible to still play. You might feel stupid in following such a strange pathway to hydration, but it is very possible to still play and advance in the game.